Main menu

User menu

Wasserman Schultz: Florida Win Would Have Been Bigger If Obamacare Weren't So Popular

DNC Chair Debbie WassermanSchultz suggested that the surprising win from Republican David Jolly in Florida’s 13th District would have been even bigger if not for conservative opposition to the Affordable Care Act.

According to Wasserman Schultz,

Republican special interest groups poured in millions to hold onto a Republican congressional district that they’ve comfortably held for nearly 60 years. Tonight, Republicans fell short of their normal margin in this district because the agenda they are offering voters has a singular focus that a majority of voters oppose: repealing the Affordable Care Act that would return us to the same old broken health care system.

In other words, Jolly would have won by a much greater margin if Obamacare weren’t so popular. Wasserman Schultz seems to have forgotten that the overall approval rating for Obamacare is only 40%, with 55% disapproving of the law.

Jolly's win is quite impressive considering some of the following facts:

Jolly won the seat despite being outspent by Democrat opponent, Alex Sink.

The 13th District voted for Obama in 2008, 2012, and Alex Sink for Governor in 2010.

PACs spent more money attacking Jolly than Sink, by a ratio near the end of the campaign of 3 to 1.

Although of course it is too early to tell, many are saying this race is a glimpse into what's to come in the 2014 midterm elections.